Keeping Your Child Healthy Through the Winter

Winter can be a magical time for families, but it is also the time of the year when babies and children are most likely to be sick. Spending extra time indoors with family and friends means viruses pass more easily. 

Two of the most common viruses affecting children during the winter are Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the flu. As parents, how can you know the difference between them and what to look out for when your child starts showing symptoms?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a virus that can cause mild to severe respiratory illness, particularly in young children. RSV can cause bronchiolitis, a condition affecting the small airways in the lungs, and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. 

The symptoms of RSV vary from person to person, but generally, they can range from mild to severe, and usually appear within four to six days after exposure.

Some of the common symptoms of RSV include:

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Coughing/Sneezing

• Fever

• Sore throat

• Earache

• Wheezing

• Rapid breathing/Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Loss of appetite

• Irritability or restlessness

If your child has mild symptoms of RSV, such as a runny nose and cough, you can provide supportive care at home to help manage their symptoms. 

To learn more about RSV symptoms and treatment, check out this HelpMommy article.

Flu

Influenza - commonly known as the flu - is a very infectious cold virus spread through respiratory droplets, from a cough, sneeze or blowing the nose. The flu is common, and can be contracted more than once. 

Flu symptoms include: 

• Sudden high fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Severe body aches, also known as “myalgia,” which are cramps in large muscle groups like the back, arms or legs

One of the worst things about the flu is that it typically causes secondary infections, including pneumonia, and sinus or ear infections. Flu can also cause dehydration, similarly to RSV. 

What to Do After Diagnosis?

The treatment for RSV and flu can be the same, depending on the symptoms. Here are a few suggestions:

• Keep them hydrated: It can be difficult for babies and children to swallow due to a sore throat and all the mucus, so parents can add to the child’s milk a little Pedialyte (for smaller babies) or water/juice (for older babies and children). It is very common for children to get dehydrated while fighting RSV and the flu, so keep offering fluids as much as possible. 

• Help them breathe: Use a cool mist humidifier to help ease congestion, and use saline nasal drops and/or spray to break up their congestion. A nose aspirator like a bulb syringe or a Nose Frida can help remove the mucus and help them breathe easier.

• Watch for fever: Children typically get fever with RSV during the first two days of symptoms, and fever can be off and on during the flu. If the fever continues or isn’t going down with medication, take your child to the doctor. 

• Trust your instincts: As the parent, if you feel like something is off with your child, you know best. Call your pediatrician, take your child to the doctor or to an urgent care clinic. RSV is the number one reason babies across the United States are hospitalized, so it’s important for parents to take it seriously. 

• Get the flu vaccine: The flu vaccine is available via injection for babies over 6 months, typically given in two increments when a child receives the vaccine for the first time. Once children reach the age of 3, they can get the vaccine via injection or nasal spray. 

The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend all children - with very limited exceptions - get the flu vaccine each year. 

Learn more about RSV, the flu, and other winter illnesses on HelpMommy.

Ten Ways to Make Travel with Kids Easier

Traveling with kids - especially during the holidays - can be a challenging experience for moms, but with some preparation and planning, it can also be a fun and memorable experience for everyone. 

Here are a few tips to make traveling with kids easier and more enjoyable:

• Limit public transportation for babies: Babies two months old and younger are at a very high-risk for catching a virus, so it’s best to limit travel on airplanes or other public transportation until the baby is a little older. 

• Use a checklist: Create a packing checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important.

• Plan ahead: Research your destination and plan your itinerary carefully, including transportation, accommodations, and activities. If you are traveling to a foreign country with a baby, make sure to pack water and formula, and ensure you are aware of travel restrictions and requirements for packing those items.

• Pack smart: Pack light but make sure you have enough clothes, snacks, toys, and supplies for your kids.

• Involve your kids: Let your kids be part of the planning process by letting them choose some of the activities or destinations you visit.

• Bring entertainment: Pack toys, books, and games to keep your kids occupied during the trip.

• Have fun: Remember to enjoy the experience and create lasting memories with your kids.

Check out more tips for traveling with kids on HelpMommy, as well as five products that can make your travel experience better!